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XI, 48.
PENANCES; GIFTS AND SACRIFICES.
439
43. Treading with his foot on the heads of those fools who worship a fire (kindled at the expense) of a Sudra, the giver (of the wealth) shall always pass over his miseries (in the next world).
44. A man who omits a prescribed act, or performs a blamable act, or cleaves to sensual enjoyments, must perform a penance.
45. (All) sages prescribe a penance for a sin unintentionally committed; some declare, on the evidence of the revealed texts, (that it may be performed) even for an intentional (offence).
46. A sin unintentionally committed is expiated by the recitation of Vedic texts, but that which (men) in their folly commit intentionally, by various (special) penances.
47. A twice-born man, having become liable to perform a penance, be it by (the decree of) fate or by (an act) committed in a former life, must not, before the penance has been performed, have intercourse with virtuous men.
48. Some wicked men suffer a change of their
43. Nand. reads the first line differently, pâpânâm satatam tesham agnim sadrasya guhvatâm, but the general sense remains the same.
44-46. Gaut. XIX; Vas. XX, 1-3; XXII; Baudh. III, 10; Yâgs. III, 219, 226.
45. Vedic texts which prescribe penances for offences committed intentionally, are quoted Gaut. XIX, 7-10. The commentators adduce also Aitareya-brâhmana VII, 28.
47. Daivât, by (the decree of) fate,' i.e. 'through carelessness' (Medh., Nár., Kull., Ragh.). Medh. mentions a var. lect. mohất,
through delusion of mind.' 'By (an act) committed in a former life,' i.e. 'if he has black teeth or some other bodily defect from which his having committed a crime in a former birth may be inferred.'
48-54. Vas. I, 18; XX, 6; XXI, 43-44; Vi. XLV; Yâgñ. III, 207–215.
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